Join us to view Jenny Braig’s collection of paintings during May and June, 2025.

Jenny’s artwork will be on display in the South Gallery and is free to the public to enjoy. 

The paintings created for this exhibit are landscapes from the great plains, works celebrate the State Parks and Jenny Braig’s love of the places she’s visited.  From Custer State Park in western SD to Palisades State Park in eastern SD, to Backbone State Park in IA, the Maquoketa Caves, Swiss Valley, and many more in between; these places influence her work.

Jenny’s landscapes are built out of paint. When she layers the paint and then sketches into the surface it reveals the layers of colors. Working the paint, building and creating areas textures and patterns until the surface is a sculptural relief in oil. The texture in Jenny’s paintings create a visual dissonance, a battle between surface and depth. Jenny hopes that when people see her work they are reminded of the places they have been. The sneaky little spots full of trees, saved for us.

About the author: 

Jenny Braig grew up in Dubuque IA. The Mississippi River and the tributaries in the tri-state area were her stomping grounds. She grew up fishing in the lakes and creeks, camping, hiking and swimming. She stayed in Dubuque and got a degree from Loras College. Her experiences growing up have influenced her love of landscapes; a love of nature, and water, and an attention to the details and patterns of life.

Jenny moved across the great plains, from the eastern edge along the Mississippi to the western edge. She made a home in Spearfish, South Dakota in the Black Hills, and has lived there for 30 years. She is a full time artist and music teacher.